The Iraqi and global poetry communities are in mourning following the death of renowned Iraqi poet Karim Al-Iraqi. He passed away early this morning at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at the age of 68.
Karim Al-Iraqi was considered one of Iraq’s most influential contemporary poets, known for his lyric poems expressing Iraqi nationalism and identity. Over his decades-long career, he published over 20 collections of poetry in various styles including ghazals, free verse and odes.
His work acclaimed for its beautiful imagery and evocative language that captured the Iraqi spirit. Al-Iraqi delved deeply into themes of love, nature, politics and the hardship of the Iraqi people. He did not shy away from controversial topics and was outspoken about his views.
Al-Iraqi, whose real name was Karim Oudah, had been receiving treatment for prostate cancer in the UAE since 2020. He died in a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The news has sparked an outpouring of grief and remembrances on social media from both public figures and everyday Iraqis. Al-Iraqi was admired nationwide for giving voice to their shared experiences of war, displacement and yearning for peace through his poetry.
The news was announced on Al-Iraqi’s official Facebook page and later confirmed by his brother Rahim. A remembrance service will be held for the poet on Sunday at the Awda Al Sua’idi Mosque in Baghdad.
Arif Al Saadi, a cultural advisor to Iraq’s prime minister, expressed his condolences on Facebook. “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. I mourn the poet Karim Al Iraqi who passed away at dawn today in one of Abu Dhabi’s hospitals,” he wrote.
Born in Baghdad in 1955, Al-Iraqi was celebrated for his lyrical poetry and songwriting career spanning over four decades. He collaborated with numerous Iraqi artists and won international awards, including the 2019 Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal Award.
Musicians like Lebanese singer Assi El Hallani and Iraqi pop star Aseel Hameem paid tribute on social media, mourning the loss of the “pulse of Iraq” and “great poet.”
Al-Iraqi supplemented his artistic work with careers in teaching and journalism in Iraq as well as the UAE, where he lived for over 10 years. Even during his cancer battle, he continued engaging in his loves of reading, writing and reciting poetry.
His final Instagram post two weeks ago featured a television recitation about religion promoting tolerance between generations. Al-Iraqi will be deeply mourned for his immense contributions to Iraqi culture and identity.
